Perspective
How a Lenten Climb Up Tepayac Hill Leads to Christ
I should have been more prepared for the altitude. I knew Mexico City’s elevation had been a concern during the organization of Pope Benedict’s 2012 trip to the country. (Many […]
Perspective
We Can Be More Merciful Without Courting Sacrilege
Controversy erupted surrounding the funeral of transgender activist Cecilia Gentili, which was hosted at St. Patrick Cathedral in New York City. Roughly 1,000 mourners turned out for the memorial for […]
Perspective
Is Hell Empty? I Think Not, but I Hope I’m Wrong
Sometimes you hope to be wrong. For example: A good friend from college seminary discerned out of formation and began to pursue a relationship with a young woman. I didn’t […]
Perspective
Remembering, and Missing, Pope Benedict XVI
A year out from his death, I dearly miss Pope Benedict XVI. He was the pope of my coming of age. The generation of priests above me feel this way about […]
Perspective
Pray the Breastplate of St. Patrick at the Manger
Of all the things and people to be present at the birth of Jesus Christ, there were shepherds! I probably would have been more surprised if there were not shepherds. […]
Perspective
This Advent, Echo John the Baptist: ‘Behold the Lamb!’
I often think of John the Baptist at one particularly dramatic moment during Mass. John is the forerunner, the one who gives testimony. “I am not the Messiah,” John says […]
Perspective
Destroying Father Rupnik’s Art, Restoring Trust, Living the Gospel
Last December, when news started to come to light about the “very highly credible” accusations of abuses committed by former Jesuit Father Marko Rupnik, I cautioned against removing his art. In […]
Perspective
Following the Saints or Followed by the Saints?
We like to think we follow the saints, but sometimes the saints follow us. As I walked home from class in Tours, France, I had an irresistible urge to explore […]
Perspective
Why Is the St. Michael Prayer So Powerful?
Catholics of a certain age will remember reciting a set of prayers after Mass called the Leonine Prayers. Introduced by Pope Pius IX in 1859, the prayers were offered in […]
Perspective
Five Reasons Why St. Francis Is a Model of Synodality
Chesterton once wrote, “Newspapers not only deal with news, but they deal with everything as if it were entirely new.” There’s a lot of new talk surrounding synodality. But, insofar […]
Perspective
World Youth Day Is About Christ or It Is About Nothing at All
World Youth Day (WYD) brings together young people from every corner of the globe to celebrate their Catholic faith. Away from home and buoyed by the witness of their peers, […]
Perspective
In Praise of Books Yet to Read
I’ve been looking longingly at the growing pile of books at my bedside. There’s just not enough time to delve into all the wonderful things I want to read. What […]